Msgr. Richard Oswald, director of the Office of Divine Worship, reminds Catholics of the guidelines for fasting and abstaining during Lent. Ash Wednesday is observed Feb. 22 this year.
Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one‘s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. The special Paschal fast and abstinence are prescribed for Good Friday and encouraged for Holy Saturday.
Fast and abstinence guidelines
